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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jun 08, 1944
Page
1
Local forecast calls for fair weather this afternoon and tonight with Friday partly cloudy. Decatur station reports a 77 degree high in the last 24 hours and 59 degree low. Community notices include hospital dismissals and clinic procedures, church events, travel, and a POW list from the War Department.
Allied forces push north from Rome capturing Civita Castellana and Civitavecchia as they drive toward Bracciano and Montegranaro area. German 14th army in disarray with 40 Wehrmacht formations taken prisoner. Eighth Army secs into Tiber valley and Sees Guidonia air field. Civita Castellana port at Civita Castellana population about 36000.
Warrants sworn out for Carl and Robert Statten by Arthur Childers charging feloniously taking 320 dollars in currency from his residence. Childers testified one man diverted attention while the other lifted his billfold containing two hundred dollar bills and one hundred twenty dollars in small currency. The Slattens denied entry or knowledge of the robbery and were jailed Wednesday evening.
Chinese forces occupy part of Lungling, a key Burma road town and second major Japanese base in Yunnan. They advance north of Tengchung and west of the Salween, holding the town’s West gate as they press attacks. Beijing reports over 3,000 enemy casualties since crossing the Salween.
The Ames Aeronautical Laboratory dedication marked the opening of the world’s largest wind tunnel. Six motors totaling 56,000 horsepower drive fans to produce air for planes up to 80 feet wing span, in an $18 million facility designed to keep the United States ahead in aviation research.
Detroit FBI says Charles Frederick Walters, 42, sought for four years in a fatal shooting case, was arrested in Marshall Michigan on unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and will be turned over to Montgomery Alabama authorities.
Gen Douglas MacArthur’s forces captured Mokmer airfield on Biak after a 12 day battle, expanding an amphibious push against Japanese positions. Allied operations extended from Biak to nearby airfields, while China and Burma fronts reported continued resistance as Bangkok suffered heavy bombing.
Winton Malcom Blount a long time Alabama business and political figure died today in Union Springs. Heart attack listed as cause. He led Birmingham Southern and Tuskegee Railroad companies and held roles in Montgomery and Tuskegee enterprises. He served in World War I and was active in the Alabama State Guard and state Democratic executive committee.
John A. Moroso, AP war correspondent, reports from an invasion port that the initial Allied assault, hailed as the largest in history, was not larger than the Sicily landings in early stages. Moroso witnessed Sicily and North Africa landings and criticizes weather prophets for bad forecasts as wind remains choppy.
The Swiss telegraph agency reports a state of siege declared in Rouen inland from Le Havre with great fires ravaging the city and ongoing security measures.
Allied air forces bombed railway installations and bridges across Rennes Laval Tours Le Mans Mantes Angers and Cherbourg area to seal the beachhead. Fortresses Liberators and Marauders supported ground forces while RAF raids targeted Paris region and German transports. Fighter bombers reported heavy activity with numerous ships downed and air losses tallied.
Allied forces pushed south from Bayeux to Cherbourg peninsula in fierce fighting as Berlin warned of a pincers move on Cherbourg port. Heavy bombing struck Caen area while rail links to Cherbourg were disrupted.
In London a chance meeting unfolds as Lieut. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle, head of the Eighth Air Force, spots a Captain Doolittle on his staff roster. A private call leads to an invitation for an office visit, brightening the General’s day amid busy duties.
The voice on the line reveals Capt. Jimmy Doolittle Jr., a Ninth Air Force B-26 pilot, as he arrives with a package for General Doolittle. The General recalls meeting him months earlier at Biskra after a daring African bomber mission and a deadly Yonks field raid where most of his crew perished.
Allied and German reports clash as the Normandy invasion widens. Berlin claims house-to-house fighting near Ste. Mere Eglise while Allied forces push along open roads toward the coast and Bayeux, with Eisenhower lauding ground troops and naval landings amid weather and reinforcements.
Capt. Frank Illymann a 29 year old parachute officer from Syracuse New York was the first Allied soldier to touch France in the western assault. He knew nothing of the invasion timing but drew the No 1 slot. He led a hand picked crew with Lt Col J L Crouch of Riverside California piloting the lead C 47. A dispatch notes Capt Leonard T Schroeder of Baltimore may have been the first to reach the beach from the sea.
Mrs. Jane Lillyman of Skaneateles recalls her husband Captain Frank Lillyman of the U S parachute infantry led the way as the first Allied soldier to touch French soil in the invasion from Britain. His May 19 letter urged readers to remember that your pappy led the way.
Berlin radio reported a Soviet offensive across a wide front north of Iasi Romania with heavy fighting in progress. Moscow said German attacks north of Iasi diminished, while Red counterattacks near Iasi captured two heights and 10 Soviet rifle divisions were wiped out or mauled.
Air armadas pounded bridges rail arteries and airfields in a 100 to 150 mile arc south of the Allied beachheads. From Caen to Bayeux Marauders started fires to deny Germans movement as a beachhead force pressed inland.
Moscow newspapers publish maps and pictures of barges and tanks as they cover the Allied invasion of France. Red Star claims Russian infantry will march into German land soon. Izvestia notes Pierre Laval should be sad because he faces execution on a lamp post.
Canadian and British troops in an unnamed sector report capturing several hundred prisoners and destroying many 88 mm Nazi guns. The advance continues as German forces fall back under sustained Allied pressure.
Allied leaders declare the first phase of the invasion complete as beachheads along a 50 mile Caen to Carentan stretch grow. Berlin claims heavy American casualties North of Cherbourg while Axis defenses, airfields, and new reinforcements are reported. Churchill cautions against optimism as fighting continues and Bayeux falls, opening new French advance avenues.
Marines played a unique role in the invasion with leatherneck sharpshooters posted on ship masts to spot threats and rifle down floating mines during bombardment, reflecting their critical position in early assault operations.
A morning communique reports continued progress against determined German resistance with fierce armored and infantry fighting. Berlin broadcasts say Allied forces have advanced south of Bayeux and a battle for Caen, 18 miles southeast of the city, is underway amid growing German air activity and heavy enemy losses.
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